Child-resistant actuator for aerosol dispenser

ABSTRACT

A safety-type, child-resistant actuator comprising a jumbo size, two-piece overcap which is freely turnable on the top of the aerosol container. The overcap has the appearance of a single plastic molding, even though it actually consists of an inverted dome portion which is screwed to an annular collar or base portion, the latter being held captive although it is freely turnable. By grasping and holding the base portion while twisting the dome, the latter can be readily removed, revealing a lockingtype actuator button provided with a hook which can be latched under an annular shoulder of the top closure for the container. The latching of the actuator is normally prevented, due to an obstruction provided on the turnable base. However, by aligning an inconspicuous notch of the base with the latching hook of the actuator button, the latter can be deflected or tilted to cause its hook portion to latch under the shoulder of the container closure. The combination of the deceptive &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;one-piece&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; appearance of the overcap with the inconspicuous nature of the notch in the turnable base has the net result of presenting considerable difficulty to a child of tender years, if he should endeavor to place the dispenser in use.

United States Patent Copia [451 Aug. 26, 1975 Inventor:

Assignee:

CHILD-RESISTANT ACTUATOR FOR AEROSOL DISPENSER US. Cl. 222/182; 220/39R; 220/85 P;

Int. Cl. B65D 83/14 Field of Search. 222/153, 182, 402.11, 402.13,

[ 7] ABSTRACT A safety-type, child-resistant actuator comprising a jumbosize, two-piece overcap which is freely turnable on the top of theaerosol container. The overcap has the appearance of a single plasticmolding, even Sam F. Copia, N. Riverside, lll.

VCA Corporation, Greenwich,

Conn though it actually consists of an inverted dome portion June 20,1974 which is screwed to an annular collar or base portion,

481 388 the latter being held captive although it is freely turnable. Bygrasping and holding the base portion while twisting the dome, thelatter can be readily removed, revealing a locking-type actuator buttonprovided with a hook which can be latched under an annular shoulder ofthe top closure for the container. The latching of the actuator isnormally prevented, due to an obstruction provided on the tumable base.However, by aligning an inconspicuous notch of the base with theZZZ/402.14; 220/39 R, 85 P [56] References Cited latching hook of theactuator button, the latter can be UNITED STATES PATENTS deflected ortilted to cause its hook portion to latch 2 573 624 /1951 SvendsenZZZ/402 1 1 X under the shoulder of the container closure. The com- 3081 918 3/1963 Scoggin JQ'QLJL'IIIIII..- 222 4i12.14 binatio of thedeceptive appearance of 3 149 757 9 1964 Safianof 222 153 the overcapwith the inconspicuous nature of the 3:595:42? 7/1971 Markowitz 222/182X notch in the tumable base has the net result P 3,601,290 8/1971 Nigro222 402.13 x eming Considerable difficulty to a Child Of tender3,721,423 3/ 1973 Shay ZZZ/402.11 X years, if he should endeavor toplace the dispenser in 3,797,705 3/1974 Cooprider 222/153 e PrimaryExaminer-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerDavid A. Scherbel 1 Claims,9 Drawing Figures Attorney, Agent, or Firm-H. Gibner Lehmann; K. GibnerLehmann; E. Donald Mays 26 .4 p 50 44 2 4 In 4H L 1' PATENTED'AUBZE 19153, 9 0 1 ;412

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CHILD-RESISTANT ACTUATOR FOR AEROSOL DISPENSER NO CROSS REFERENCES TORELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND This invention relates to safety-typechildproof or childresistant actuator devices for small hand-heldaerosol dispensers. Previously it has been proposed to provide adeceptive-appearing jumbo-type overcap for aerosol dispensers whichactually consists of two pieces screwed together, although it normallygives the impression of being but a single molded part. Such overcap,being loosely held captive on the upper portion of the dispenser, quitesuccessfully tends to defeat efforts of young children to actuate thedispenser. Although the dome portion of the overcap can be easilyremoved by twisting it while grasping the narrow base portion so as tounscrew these from each other, the uninitiated or unknowing person wouldnormally not realize that such unscrewing or separation of the overcapportion is possible. The collar or base portion of the overcap, althoughloosely held and readily turnable, is so securely mounted that normallythe device resists all efforts to remove it, even with the use of pryingtools. Such a safety device has proven to be quite effective until theunauthorized person learns the secret of unscrewing the dome portion byfirst holding the base.

Another prior aerosol actuator involved a lockingtype button having alaterally projecting arm with a hook portion that is adapted to latchunder the usual annular shoulder surrounding the metal valve mountingcup of the dispenser. A release finger-piece carried by the arm readilyenables the button to be returned to its non-discharging condition whenso desired. This locking-type actuator button also advantageouslypresents difficulties to children of tender years or other unauthorizedpersons, but here again the possibility exists that the child will atsometime or other learn the technique for actuating and latching thebutton in the operative position. v

The foregoing two systems which provide for child resistantcharacteristics, when utilized together, constitute supplements to eachother and increase the required know-how of actuation whereby thelikelihood of a child being able to operate the dispenser is furtherminimized. However, there still remains the distinct possibility that anobservant child will, after a while, discover the procedures required toplace the combination actuator in operation. Where added safety is arequirement, even the combining of the above systems can be consideredas not completely adequate.

SUMMARY The disadvantages and drawbacks existing with prior childresistant actuators of the kind explained above are obviated by thepresent invention, which has for one object the provision of a novel andimproved childresistant aerosol dispenser which combines three safetyfeatures in one package, thereby to further increase the difficulty ofactuation by unauthorized personnel and to additionally reduce thelikelihood of such personnel learning how to put the dispenser inoperation. A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedchild-resistant actuator assemblage as above characterized, which isespecially simple in its construction, economical to fabricate andassemble, and especially efble of separation so as to reveal theactuator button, a

latching-type spray button having a lateral arm with a release fingerpiece and a hook portion adapted to latch over the existing annularshoulder of the aerosol container, together with a notched obstructingportion of the separable base of the overcap which acts to preventlatching of the button for all rotative positions of the base except asingle one which requires careful attention to align a notch of the basewith the hook portion of the button. When such alignment is effected,the button can be latched and unlatched readily in the usual manner.However, for all other random rotative positions of the screw base, thebutton cannot be latched in the discharging position. In an alternateembodiment, discharge of the dispenser is completely prevented unlessthe screw base is first turned to a predetermined rotary releaseposition with respect to the actuator button. The captive screw base andthe cooperable overcap dome are readily molded of plastic substancewithout difficulty, it being merely necessary to additionally providethe clearance notch in the base where none previously existed.Fabrication and assembly are thus economical and quick.

Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of theinvention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a child resistant aerosol dispenseras provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view partially in vertical axial section and partially inelevation of the upper portion of the dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the dispenser, but with the over-cap domeportion removed.

As shown, the dispenser comprises a pressurized container 10 having ausual type of crowned top closure portion 12 to which there is attacheda circular valve mounting cup 14 carrying a discharge valve (not shown)having a projecting valve stem 16, all of usual construction. The valvemounting cup 14, when assembled to the crowned closure 12, results in anannular under shoulder 18 of a well known type.

In accordance with the invention there is provided on the pressurizedcontainer above described a novel combination safety jumbo-size overcap,and a latching-type valve actuator button in conjunction with a uniquesafety-lock or obstruction for the latter, all for the purpose ofincreasing the difficultyof operation of the dispenser for unauthorizedpersons, especially children of tender years.

The jumbo-size overcap is constituted of two pieces, a somewhat flatscrew base or collar which carries an inverted domelike cap portion 22in such a manner that these two appear as a single molded pieceincapable of separation. The base 20 has an annular, upwardly-facingrecess 24 in which the bottom rim 26 of the dome portion 22 is received,and such rim is provided with internal screw threads 28 cooperable withexterior screw threads 30 in the inner wall of the annular recess 24. Bysuch arrangement, the dome portion 22 can be assembled to the base 20 byscrewing it onto the latter or removed from the base by a simpleunscrewing operation, both requiring that the base be held againstturning while the dome portion is turned or twisted.

The screw base 20 has a large central opening 32 whereby it is in theform of a collar. The lower edge of the opening 32 is rounded asindicated at 34, so that it can be forced downwardly over and past theflange or periphery of the valve mounting cup 14, to the positionindicated in FIG. 2. After the collar 20 has been thus assembled, it isheld captive on the upper portion of the dispenser while being freelyturnable and having a sloppy fit therewith. The sloppy fit andfreely-turning nature of the mounting gives persons the impression thatthere are no cooperable screw threads involved, since normally screwthreads do not permit a great deal of slop. Thus, an unauthorized personwould be somewhat deceived with respect to the presence of screwthreads, due to the extremely loose fit of the base 20.

The valve stem 16 of the dispenser has a latching type actuator button36 provided with a top discharge orifice 38, and with a slopingprojection 40 adapted to have finger pressure applied to it. Oppositethe projection 40 the button 36 has a resilient, laterally extending arm42 provided with downwardly extending hook portion 44 and with a fingerpiece 46 constituting an upwardly projecting extension of the hookportion 44.

When the button 36 is dislodged laterally or tilted by pressure appliedto the projection 40, the hook portion 44 is able to latch under theshoulder 18 of the valve mounting cup 14 as illustrated by the brokenoutline in FIG. 2. However, in accordance with the present inventionsuch latching is, for most of the rotative positions of the collar 20,prevented by the provision of an upstanding circular bead 50 on thecollar, which extends in close proximity to the outer periphery of thevalve mounting cup 14.

Also, as provided by the invention, the screw collar 20 is provided witha clearance notch 52 in its inner periphery, which is so arranged thatwhen aligned with the arm 42 of the button and the hook portion 44thereof, no obstruction will be presented to the hook portion andtherefore the button 36 can be fully tilted and held in the dischargingposition by latching of the hook 44 under the annular shoulder 18. Thisrequirement for turning the collar 20 to align the notch 52 with thelatching arm 42 presents additional difiiculty to unauthorized personsor young children, while at the same time it represents no increaseddifficulty whatsoever to a person who is knowledgeable with respect tothe function of the notch. The aligning of the notch with the latchingarm must be carefully carried out, however, and maintained while thebutton is being actuated to the latching position, since the width ofthe notch 52 is not much greater than the width of the hook portion 44of the button. Thus, there is minimized any incidental alignment of thenotch with the hook, which could otherwise defeat the purpose of thecollar 20 (as for example, if the notch 52 were appreciably wider thanthe button hook portion).

From the foregoing it will now be understood that an additionalmanipulation is required of persons desiring to use the dispenser, suchadditional manipulation representing increased difficulty if the personis unauthorized or not knowledgeable, as for example, a child of tenderyears. The first operation requires the grasping of the screw base 20and the twisting or unscrewing of the dome portion 22 of the overcap.The next operation requires the precise placement or turning of thescrew base to align the notch 52 with the latch portion 44 of the button36. Finally, the last operation requires holding the very loose collar20 still so as to maintain such alignment while tilting the button 36 byapplying finger pressure to the projection 40 so as to latch the hook 44under the annular shoulder 18 of the valve mounting cup 14. All of theforegoing required operations represent obstacles to the operation ofthe dispenser by a young or unauthorized person, each contributing tothe overall difficulty presented the erstwhile user. The fabrication ofthe two-piece overcap with the notch 52, and the fabrication of thelatching button 36 can be readily, economically carried out inrelatively simple molds, and the assemblage of the parts can be easilyand quickly effected. The safety value of the combination is greaterthan that of an assemblage wherein no obstruction is presented totilting of the button 36, or wherein there is not required any preciserotative positioning of the screw base 20 to permit tilting of theactuator button.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9, whereinlike reference numerals designate parts similar to those of the firstembodiment. A modified collar 20a is shown, being turnably carried onthe crowned top closure portion 12 of the container 10 and having acentral opening with a rounded annular shoulder 34 which is forced pastthe curl of the valve cup 14 during assembly. The collar 20a is thusretained and held captive on the container 10 by means of the undershoulder 18. An upwardly facing annular recess 24a has external screwthreads 30a which are engaged by the corresponding internal screwthreads 28 of the cap portion 22 when the latter is assembled to thecontainer in the manner of FIG. 1.

As provided by the invention, the collar 20a has a relatively highupstanding bead 50a surrounding the cup 14, the bead having a clearancenotch 52a to receive the hook 44 of the arm or control portion 42 of theactuator button 36 when the collar is properly oriented. It is seen thatthe bead 50a thus constitutes an annular abutment shoulder which,together with the annular surface formed by the top of the valvemounting cup curl 14, interferes with even slight downward and outwardmovement of the hook 44 and thus prevents any significant tilting of thebutton 36 or valve stem 16. It is noted that the bead 50a in FIG. 9 issubstantially higher than the bead 50 of FIG. 2. By such an arrangement,discharge of the dispenser is completely prevented for all rotarypositions of the collar 50a except where the notch 52a is aligned withand can receive the hook 44 when pressure is applied to the finger piece40 by the user. It has been found that small children are unlikely tocomprehend the combined operations necessary to use this dispenser,namely, first unscrewing the cap with one hand while holding the collar20a stationary with the other, and second, turning the collar to aposition wherein the notch 52a is aligned with the hook 44. It isintended that the above construction be employed with a suitabletilt-type valve rather than one of the axial-movement type, for reasonswhich are readily apparent. With the collar disposed in a suitableposition, the button 36 may be tilted a limited extent to effectmomentary discharge of the dispenser, or may be latched as illustratedin FIG. 2, for effecting a continuous or prolonged discharge, asrequired.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

a. a pressurized container having a tilt-type discharge valve providedwith a protruding tiltable valve stem, and having a valve mounting cupcarrying said valve and stem,

b. said cup having an annular exterior shoulder provided with anundercut,

c. an annular collar surrounding said cup and turnable thereabout,

d. an orificed actuator button carried by the valve stem,

e. said button having a laterally extending hook which is adapted tolatch under the shoulder of the cap when the button is laterallydisplaced to tilt the valve stem for discharge,

f. said collar having inner peripheral portions adapted to engage andobstruct said hook so as to prevent discharging movement of the button,

g. said collar having a recess in it, adapted to register withandreceive said hook when the collar is suitably turned, whereby theobstructing action of the collar is obviated.

2. A dispenser as in claim 1, and further including:

a. an overcap, and

b. concealed thread means removably mounting the overcap on the collar,

c. said collar having an accessible finger grip adapted to be grasped toprevent its turning when the overcap is unscrewed for removal.

3. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:

a. the collar has a sloppy fit under the shoulder of the cup, enablingit to be canted as well as turned, thereby suggesting removal of theovercap by an action other than turning.

4. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:

a. the collar has an annular groove in its top, extending along theouter periphery of the collar,

b. said overcap having a bottom rim adapted to extend into said groove.

5. A dispenser as in claim 4, wherein:

a. the concealed thread means comprises internal threads in the bottomrim of the overcap, and external threads disposed in the annular grooveof the collar.

6. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

a. the outer peripheral portion of the collar has knurling and has asmooth circular shoulder disposed above the knurling and adapted toextend closely adjacent the exterior surface of the overcap, thereby togive the appearance of constituting an integral part of the overcap.

7. A dispenser as in claim 1, and further including:

a. a finger piece on said hook, engageable by the fingers to stress thehook for releasing the latched hook thereof from the shoulder of thecup.

8. A dispenser as in claim 7, wherein:

a. the finger piece constitutes a continuation of the hook,

b. said hook being resilient whereby pressure applied to said fingerpiece causes a displacement of the hook from the cup shoulder.

9. A dispenser as in; claim 8, wherein:

a. a thin section is provided adjacent the hook and finger piece,enabling it to bend readily in response to pressure applied to thefinger piece.

10. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the recess in the collar comprises a notch disposed in the innerperipheral portions thereof.

1. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination: a. a pressurizedcontainer having a tilt-type discharge valve provided with a protrudingtiltable valve stem, and having a valve mounting cup carrying said valveand stem, b. said cup having an annular exterior shoulder provided withan undercut, c. an annular collar surrounding said cup and turnablethereabout, d. an orificed actuator button carried by the valve stem, e.said button having a laterally extending hook which is adapted to latchunder the shoulder of the cap when the button is laterally displaced totilt the valve stem for discharge, f. said collar having innerperipheral portions adapted to engage and obstruct said hook so as toprevent discharging movement of the button, g. said collar having arecess in it, adapted to register with and receive said hook when thecollar is suitably turned, whereby the obstructing action of the collaris obviated.
 2. A dispenser as in claim 1, and further including: a. anovercap, and b. concealed thread means removably mounting the overcap onthe collar, c. said collar having an accessible finger grip adapted tobe grasped to prevent its turning when the overcap is unscrewed forremoval.
 3. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein: a. the collar has asloppy fit under the shoulder of the cup, enabling it to be canted aswell as turned, thereby suggesting removal of the overcap by an actionother than turning.
 4. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein: a. the collarhas an annular groove in its top, extending along the outer periphery ofthe collar, b. said overcap having a bottom rim adapted to extend intosaid groove.
 5. A dispenser as in claim 4, wherein: a. the concealedthread means comprises internal threads in the bottom rim of theovercap, and external threads disposed in the annular groove of thecollar.
 6. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein: a. the outer peripheralportion of the collar has knurling and has a smooth circular shoulderdisposed above the knurling and adapted to extend closely adjacent theexterior surface of the overcap, thereby to give the appearance ofconstituting an integral part of the overcap.
 7. A dispenser as in claim1, and further including: a. a finger piece on said hook, engageable bythe fingers to stress the hook for releasing the latched hook thereoffrom the shoulder of the cup.
 8. A dispenser as in claim 7, wherein: a.the finger piece constitutes a continuation of the hook, b. said hookbeing resilient whereby pressure applied to said finger piece causes adisplacement of the hook from the cup shoulder.
 9. A dispenser as inclaim 8, wherein: a. a thin section is provided adjacent the hook andfinger piece, enabling it to bend readily in response to pressureapplied to the finger piece.
 10. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein: a.the recess in the collar comprises a notch disposed in the innerperipheral portions thereof.